THE HOG KIND. 47 



b like a hog's, though fmall. One fide of the lower lip is generally 

 fmooth, by the rubbing of the tu(k of the upper jaw. The feet and 

 hoofs are perfectly like thofe of a common hog. 



The peccary may be tamed like a hog, and has pretty nearly the fame 

 habits and natural inclinations ; feeds upon the fame aliments ; its flefh, 

 though drier and leaner than that of the hog, is pretty good eating; 

 and, when killed, not only the parts of generation muft be taken in- 

 ftantly away, but alfo the lump on the back, with all the glands that 

 contribute to its fupply. If this operation be deferred only half an hour, 

 the flefh becomes utterly unfit to be eaten. 



They are particularly fierce when their young are afTaulted ; they 

 furround the plunderer, attack him boldly, and frequently make his life 

 pay the forfeit of his raihnefs. When any of the natives are purfued by a 

 herd, they climb a tree to avoid them j the peccaries gather round it j 

 by threatening with their tulks, and erecting their rough briftles (as hogs) 

 they aflume a very terrible appearance. Thus they remain at the foot 

 of the tree hours together, while the hunter is obliged to wait patient- 

 ly, and not without apprehenfions, till they retire. 



The peccary is fond of mountain-forefts (not of marlhes or the mud, 

 like our hogs) ; it fubfifts on wild fruits, roots, and vegetables ; is an 

 unceafing enemy to the lizard, toad, and ferpent, with which thefe un- 

 cultivated foreils abound. As foon as it perceives a ferpent, it feizes it 

 with its fore hoofs and teeth, fkins it in an inflant with great dexterity, 

 and devours the flefli. The jaguar is its mortal enqmy, but often feels 

 the force of their union. It is faid there are two forts of peccary j one 

 large — the other fmall, and no enemy to marfiies or mud, out of 

 which it draws worms and infects. 



The peccary is very prolific j the young ones follow the dam till they 

 come to perfeftion. If taken at firft, foon lofe their natural ferocity ; 

 never fnew any remarkable figns of docility, but continue ftupid and 

 rude, without attachment, or feeming to know the hand that feeds 

 them. They feldom ftray far from home; return of themfelves to the 

 fty J and do not quarrel among each other, except when fed in common. 

 At fuch times have an angry kind of growl, much ftronger and harlher 

 than that of an hog, but are feldom heard to fcream like the former; 

 fometimes, when frighted or irritated, they have an abrupt angry man- 

 ner of blowing like the boar. 



The peccary is very diftinfb from the hog, and will not mix with it. 



The Warree is the European hog, degenerated into a wild ftate in the 

 forefts of America, 2 THE 



